The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi
» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf
» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102
» Topic:
JFK Photo
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=571
Tom Edin was on the PT-125 which was tied along side the PT-109. He always tells the story of how he refused to salute JFK while crossing the PT-109 because JFK was lounging in a deck chair out of uniform. I'm looking for a photo of JFK on the deck of the PT-109 with JFK on the lounge chair, (if such a photo exists). Photos of the PT-125 and crew.
I can be contacted at the following email address:badgerclan@gmail.com
Tom doesn't use a computer so if you knew him and want to contact him let me know and I'll relay the information.
Thanks,
Badger (Chris D.)
Posted By: badger | Posted on: Jan 4, 2008 - 10:39pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Chris,
From all I've ever read about the PTs in the forward areas of the South Pacific, formal naval discipline wasn't always that important, and not that much saluting went on around the boats anyway - most everyone, officers and men alike, being "out of uniform" a great deal of the time.
I guess discipline depended on the individual officer and the situation...
Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jan 5, 2008 - 3:22pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am
Badger
One must remember that PT Boat Crews often went around with no shirt, sometimes shorts or pants, and maybe a hat. It was difficult to tell enlisted men from Officers. This type of dress was due to the constant heat and humidity. The strict Navy rules that were evident on the Capital Ships were very relaxed for the boys in the PT Boat Navy. Enlisted men would show proper respect to the Officers no doubt, but seeing an Officer relaxing on deck in a deck chair is no big deal. I have a picture of Lt. Vic Kodis relaxing on the deck of PT 213 in a deck chair. You must realize that there was certainly no comforts of home in the PT Navy, so these guys did what they could to relax during time off, which meant staying out of the heat and trying to catch some sleep time, which was very difficult when being in the Pacific.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 6, 2008 - 5:39am
Total Posts: 3545 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am